news story

25th September 2007

West MP Welcomes Barrage Study

Northavon MP Steve Webb has welcomed today's announcement by Enterprise Minister John Hutton of a feasibility study into a Severn Barrage.

The Lib Dem MP, who has led a debate at Westminster about the barrage and who has raised the issue at Prime Minister's Questions, said that such a study is long overdue. But he warned that the scope of the study must include all the options for harnessing the tidal power of the Severn.

Steve Webb said:

"With growing concern over climate change, the case for using the tidal power of the River Severn is overwhelming. But there are several different ways in which this could be done and each has its strengths and weaknesses.

"Whilst I very much welcome Government money for this new study, it is vital that it covers all of the options for Severn Tidal Power. A barrage may be the best answer, but tidal lagoons and underwater turbines also need to be considered.

"I will also be pressing to ensure that this study is completed as quickly as possible so that we can move from the drawing board to power generation with the least possible delay".